The figure of Julian the Apostate, the last pagan Roman emperor (AD 361–363), provoked extreme reactions within his own lifetime amongst pagans and Christians; it appeared that Christianity and the Church, recently favoured by Constantine the Great and his sons, were about to suffer the effects of the withdrawal of that imperial favour. But Julian has also provoked extreme reactions amongst later authors and scholars up until the present day; for example, could he have changed the course of history, or was he a dinosaur in his own time, doomed to fail? This module examines Julian’s life, reign and thought within the context of contemporary Roman politics and culture, and also considers his legacy and his enduring legend.

• display a knowledge of the life, reign and thought of Julian the Apostate within the context of the political and cultural nature of the later Roman empire, as well as a knowledge of his legacy and legend.
• analyse critically the historical sources for the period: literary, visual, archaeological and documentary.
• demonstrate a knowledge and critical understanding of modern debates about the life, reign, thought and historical significance of Julian the Apostate.
• discuss these issues in written work with coherent and logical arguments, clearly and correctly expressed.

10 lectures and 2 seminars; independent study; 1 coursework feedback tutorial

The lectures provide an introduction to a particular topic, establishing the key points of major course themes, identifying important issues, and providing guidance for more in-depth reading. They aim to provide a basic framework for understanding, and should be thought of as a useful starting-point for further discussion and independent study. Handouts and, where appropriate, slides, are used to illustrate the material discussed.

The seminars provide an opportunity for students to analyse and discuss key issues and topics in the module, and to get feedback on their ideas from the tutor and their peers. Handouts with material for study and suggestions for preparatory reading will be circulated prior to the seminars.

Independent study enables students to familiarise themselves with the primary source material and the most important modern approaches and debates on the subject. A reading list is provided, with guidance on key items of reading for major themes and lecture topics.

Coursework feedback tutorials provide students with an opportunity to get feedback and guidance on all aspects of their written work.

• assimilating and synthesising complex information and ideas
• critical thinking skills, such as analysing and evaluating evidence, critiquing interpretations or arguments, and challenging assumptions
• constructing and defending arguments based on evidence
• clear, accurate and effective communication of ideas and arguments in writing and in debate
• employing basic skills and conventions in the presentation and use of literary and material evidence
• bibliographic and referencing skills
• contributing to group discussions
• using IT resources effectively
• independent working and time management

The module will be assessed by a 2000-word essay, which will require knowledge and critical deployment of evidence and critical understanding of modern scholarship to answer questions and construct arguments relating to Julian the Apostate.

The opportunity for reassessment in this module

 Students who fail the module will normally be expected to resit the failed component(s) in the summer resit period.

• the sources for Julian and his reign, and their nature
• the family and empire of Constantine the Great
• Julian’s early life, education and conversion
• Julian’s Caesarship and usurpation in Gaul
• Julian’s imperial style and policies: administrative, religious, military and civic
• the nature of Julian’s writings and thought
• the legacy and legend of Julian

Ammianus Marcellinus, Res Gestae (Penguin, The Later Roman Empire)

Julian, Works, translated by W.C. Wright, Loeb Classical Library, 3 vols

P. Athanassiadi, Julian: An Intellectual Biography (1992)

N. Baker-Brian and S. Tougher (eds.), Emperor and Author: The Writings of Julian the Apostate (2012)

G. Bowersock, Julian the Apostate (1978)

S. Elm, Sons of Hellenism, Fathers of the Church: Emperor Julian, Gregory of Nazianzus, and the Vision of Rome (2012)

S. Lieu, The Emperor Julian: Panegyric and Polemic (1989)

A. Murdoch, The Last Pagan (2003)

R. Smith, Julian’s Gods (1995)

S. Tougher, Julian the Apostate (2007)

See the module handout for the full reading list.